Fresh peaches are one of the best parts of summer, and this sangria featuring Vignoles and peach wine is a delicious way to enjoy them. Whip up a batch of Peachy Vignoles Sangria for your next get together.

Ingredients

4-6                               Fresh Peaches

4 oz                              Honey

3 oz                              Brandy

1 bottle (750mL)   Missouri Vignoles Wine

1 bottle                       Missouri Peach Wine

1-2 inch piece          Fresh Ginger (optional)

24 oz                           Club Soda or Sparkling Wine

Directions

Slice and peel 2 peaches. Add them to a blender or food processor. Add honey and brandy and blend until a smooth puree is formed. Add water 1 tbsp at a time to thin as desired. Slice 2-3 additional peaches. Peel and thinly slice the fresh ginger. Add the puree, sliced peaches and ginger to a large pitcher.  Pour the Vignoles and peach wines into the pitcher; mix until combined. Cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours or overnight to let the flavors combine. Just before serving add the club soda or sparkling wine. Serve over ice with sliced peaches for garnish.

Pro Tip: You can use frozen peaches instead of ice when serving to keep your sangria cold without watering it down.

* Try it with the 2015 Governor’s Cup winner, St. James Winery 2014 Vignoles.

Fruit wine sounds a little redundant, doesn’t it? After all, wine is made from grapes and grapes are fruit, right? Not exactly. The term “fruit wine” refers to any wine made from fruit other than grapes. Many Missouri wineries make delicious, award-winning fruit wines. Common flavors are peach, cherry, blackberry, apple and strawberry, but as you explore Missouri wine country you’ll find other unique fruit wines such as mango, blueberry, and strawberry rhubarb. There are so many wonderful ways to enjoy Missouri fruit wine. Here are some of our favorites:

1. Sipping: A glass of fruit wine is delicious and refreshing all on its own. If you find a fruit wine that’s a little sweet for you, try adding a splash of club soda. It can calm the sweetness, and who doesn’t like bubbles?
2. Mixing: Fruit wines make fantastic mixers for your next cocktail concoction. Whether you’re perfecting your sangria recipe or developing a brand new cocktail creation, fruit wine is a great way to mix things us (pardon the pun).
3. Cooking: Fruit wines add fantastic flavor and fun to the most basic recipes, especially in marinades and sauces.

Marinades, especially overnight marinades, are great with fruit wines because they are low in acid. Peach wine marinades are great with chicken and cherry is exceptional with pork. Generally, a good ratio for marinades is: ½-1 cup of wine, ¼ – ½ cup of fat (olive oil, etc.), 1 tsp – 2 Tbsp herbs of choice, ½-2 tsp salt

A fruit wine sauce is a delicious addition to an entrée or dessert. Reducing wine into a thicker sauce consistency is very simple. Add your wine to a heated pan over medium high heat. Bring to a simmer. The alcohol and water will evaporate out of the wine. Simmer like this with any added spices you would like until it has reduced by half. Remove from heat, let cook slightly and enjoy!

4. Baking: Substituting wine for water or part of the fat (oil, butter, etc.) while baking adds flavor and complexity. So, next time you dawn an apron to bake up a treat, don’t forget the fruit wine. 

Fruit wines are truly versatile. Don’t just take our word for it. Try sipping, mixing, cooking, and baking with them.

Missouri fruit wine pairs well with trying something new!

Patio perfect weather is upon us again, and there’s nothing better than relaxing outdoors with a glass of your favorite Missouri wine and good friends! Get the most out of these patio perfect days while they last. Whether you are hosting or attending an open-air gathering this season, invite Missouri wines along for the fun!

Grilling is a fun and delicious activity you’ll find happening on most patios. Grilling and smoking foods imparts unique flavors opening up the opportunity for some exciting food and wine pairings. Read this blog post to find out more about pairing based on the cooking method. Don’t feel like you have to stick to the staples when grilling either, there are lots of options to try something new on the grill. Ever tried grilled peaches? They are a real treat, especially when paired with a glass of fruit forward Vignoles.

Another warm weather classic is sangria. There are countless recipes out there for every type of sangria mixture you can imaging, but try using this guide to build your own recipe that suits your palate perfectly.

If you’re into more of a picnic style patio soiree, there are still some great food and wine pairings to be had. This food and wine pairing guide will help you mix and match all your favorites from cheese to fruit to dessert. Or go with a simple yet classic selection of sandwiches, we’ll even help you find the perfect wine for that!

Don’t have a patio at home? No need to worry. Many Missouri wineries have great patios and outdoor seating to enjoy. Plan your trip today to Missouri wine country to enjoy these patio perfect days.

Missouri wine pairs well with patios!

Gotta get away? It’s easier and closer than you think. Spend a few days in the heart of Missouri wine country and you’ll feel transported and rejuvenated. Whether you’re looking for a romantic get away with your sweetheart or a fun trip with some close friends, Missouri wine country has all you need to enjoy a fun, relaxing retreat.

If you’re looking for a quick day trip, look no further. There are 129 wineries in the state for you to explore, there’s sure to be at least a few in your own backyard.

However, if you are looking for a weekend or even a long weekend trip, there are several areas in the state to visit with a high concentration of wineries. Each area has its own unique history and atmosphere, making it easy to find the one that suits you.

The easiest place to start planning a trip to Missouri wine country is to check out the ten wine trails. If you want to blaze your own trail, keep these areas in mind.

Hermann, MO is a town with a ton of character. From its German history to its quaint shops and restaurants, it exudes small town charm. There are six wineries in Hermann to explore and five more within a very short drive.

Augusta and Defiance, MO are two adorable neighboring towns that offer the perfect amount of Midwest charm. You’ll find lovely Bed & Breakfasts, primo antiqueing and gorgeous scenery everywhere you look. There are six wineries in Augusta, three in Defiance, and one in Dutzow which is only a stone’s throw away. That’s ten wineries to explore all within a few minutes of each other in the lovely Missouri countryside.

Ste. Genevieve, MO is steeped in a rich heritage and considered America’s original French Colonial village. You can explore historic homes, visit specialty stores and sample delicious local cuisine. This picturesque town has a lot to offer, including seven wineries. Just next door to Ste. Genevieve in Farmington you’ll find an additional three wineries.

Whether you are looking for a romantic getaway or just a break from the day to day, Missouri wine country is the perfect place. Wine country is calling. Will you answer?

Port is a style of fortified dessert wine that has been around for more than 300 years. To make port-style wine, brandy is added to fermenting wine. The high alcohol content of the brandy ends the fermentation process early, and some of the natural sugar from the grape juice is retained. 

Not all port-style wines are called Port for the same reason not all sparkling wines are Champagne. A 2005 wine trade agreement between the US and the European Union stated that American wines could no longer use the name Port on new wine labels. Existing brands were allowed to continue use of the name under a grandfather clause. So, many Missouri wineries make wines in the port-style that may not be called Port on the label. 

The fortification of these wines gives them a heavier body and sweeter, stronger flavor than your typical table wine. Port-style wines offer a truly unique experience on their own and even more so when paired with complimentary foods. 

A truly classic pairing, blue cheese and port-style wines have long been found side by side. The saltiness of the cheese and the sweetness of the wine are strong enough to stand up to each other and while on opposite sides of the taste spectrum, complement one another in a remarkable way. Other cheeses that pair well with port-style wines are stilton, aged cheddar, camembert and mature gouda. 

Chocolate, especially dark varieties with a high percentage of cacao are also well matched by the bold, sweet flavors of port-style wines. A rich flourless chocolate cake for example is perfectly paired with a port-style dessert wine for a truly decadent experience. 

In addition to cheese and chocolate, port-style wines also pair well with dried fruits and nuts, making them the perfect accompaniment to any well appointed cheese board. Add one to the offerings at your next gathering.  Find tips for setting up a cheese & charcuterie spread here. 

What is your favorite thing to pair with a Missouri port-style wine? 

Being snowed in sounds like a bummer, right? It doesn’t have to be. Yes, it is an interruption of your regularly scheduled life, but if you’re stuck, you might as well make the most of it. First things first, pour yourself a glass of wine. Ah, now isn’t that better? 

Now let’s talk about how you can have a pleasurable snowed-in experience. If you have a fireplace, get it going for a toasty and pleasant atmosphere. (Tip: You know all those documents you’ve been meaning to shred, but the pile just keeps growing? Multi-task and use them to help start your fire.) If you don’t have a fireplace, break out those cozy wool socks and your favorite old sweatshirt. The general idea… get warm. Then the fun can begin. 

Awesome activities to do on a snow day: 

Strictly for fun: 
(Bonus- a glass of wine makes all of these even more fun!)

1. Bake Not only can you warm up the house a bit by using the oven, but you also get a lovely treat when you’re finished. 
2. Curl up with a good book. If you didn’t manage to get to the library or the bookstore before the storm hit, be sure to check your local library’s website. Many libraries have eBook’s available for checkout directly to your smartphone, tablet or eReader. 
3. Watch a movie or catch up on a favorite TV show. This is an oldie, but a goody when it comes to being stuck in the house.
4. Get crafty with some DIY projects you’ve wanted to try. Check out these great ideas using leftover wine corks and bottles.
5. Play a game. Dust off that scrabble box or break out a deck of cards for some old fashioned fun. 
6.  Write a letter. You know, the kind with pen and paper.

Because you might as well be productive, right? 

1. Rearrange a room (or two). You’re stuck inside… so, make inside more fun. Use this time to rearrange the furniture and décor in the living room or guest room. 
2. Clean out the junk drawer. Something you’d literally never think of if you weren’t going a tad stir crazy in the house all day. 
3. Tackle one tough cleaning task you’ve been avoiding. And when you’re finished, reward yourself with a delicious, warming glass of Missouri wine!
4. Make a master calendar for upcoming gift-giving dates, and shop ahead online. 
5. Do the mending and ironing you’ve been putting off since 2010 (Yeah, that was really 5 whole years ago. Hard to believe, we know.) 

If you’re brave enough to face the outdoors: 

1. Bundle up and take a stroll in the snow. It really is beautiful, isn’t it?
2. Find the nearest steep hill or closed street and go sledding. It’ll make you feel like you did when you were 10 and they called a snow day! 
3. Make fresh snow ice cream
4. Snow paint. Put some water and food coloring in squirt bottles and become a snow VanGough. Be sure to take pictures. Your creations won’t last long!

Whatever you decide to do on your snow-day, remember that it is what you make it. So, make it great!

Missouri wine pairs well with being snowed-in! 

Chocolate is decadent and delicious. Wine is rich and robust. Put them together and you get perfection! Pair the best Missouri wine with your (or your sweetheart’s) favorite chocolate using the guide found here.

Norton, the official state grape of Missouri, is known for its ability to age well. Ever wondered why, or how aging wine changes it?

Aging wine can potentially improve the quality of a wine through complex chemical reactions involving the wine’s sugars, acids, and phenolic compounds (i.e. tannins). However, aging wine doesn’t automatically improve it, and there is such a thing as too old when it comes to wine. Different wines age at different rates and once they’ve peaked they can start to deteriorate.

Norton, while delicious now, is often a good candidate for aging because of its tannic structure and acidity. The ability of a wine to age well can be influenced by the grape variety, vintage, viticulture practices, wine region, and wine making style. So, while many Missouri Norton wines age gracefully, it’s always good to take the winemaker’s cellar life recommendations into consideration.

What happens to a wine when it’s aging? First of all, there’s a needed distinction here. We’re talking about bottle aging orcellaring. Missouri winemakers often age Norton wines in barrels prior to bottling. Barrel-aging imparts its own unique and compelling characteristics on the wine. Bottle-aging can alter the aroma, color, mouthfeel, and taste of a wine.

As wine ages, the harsh, young tannins give way to a softer mouthfeel; the color fades (from an inky dark to a light red brick color, for example); the bouquet becomes more developed and multi-layered; and the flavor becomes more complex. At its peak, an aged Norton wine can be a wonderful experience, completely different from that of a young Norton.

There are always exceptions, but as a general rule, Missouri Norton wines age slowly for the first 5 years, reaching their peak in 8-10 years with a suggested aging limit of 15 years. Some recommendations for a good wine aging environment:

• Bottles laid on their sides to keep the corks from drying out.
• A cool (approximately 55-65 degrees Fahrenheit) temperature is best for storing wine while aging.
• A dark area is best as the ultra violet rays from sunlight can lead to premature oxidation.
• Avoid vibration and heat fluctuation as they can hasten deterioration in the wine.

So, the next time you’re purchasing a bottle of Norton, consider buying a couple extra to cellar. If you have the patience, it can certainly be a fun experience to see how they change over the years. Missouri Norton pairs well with your cellar.

Sandwiches are easily one of the most customizable dishes you can create. Use this guide to build your best sandwich and pair it with the perfect Missouri wine.